Penticton greening building bylaw

The City of Penticton is looking to create a more energy-efficient buildings in the future, under a new building bylaw.

A new building bylaw is being proposed to replace the current building bylaw, created in 1994, with a new version that phases in the recommendations from the B.C. Energy Step Code, which increase energy-efficiency requirements in the B.C. Building Code to make buildings net-zero energy ready by 2032.

A copy of the draft bylaw and a summary of the changes are now available at shapeyourcitypenticton.ca.

“The B.C. Energy Step Code is intended to introduce modern construction practices that are more energy efficient and better for the environment and the homeowner,” said Ken Kunka, building and permitting manager. “Because the code will significantly change the requirements for energy-efficient building materials and construction, we are proposing to phase it in over three years. The next two years will be focused on awareness and education and by year three, there will be new requirements for more energy-efficient building materials and construction practices.”

The new building bylaw is more clear about administrative authority and responsibilities, permit requirements for each building type, expectations for enforcement action and design criteria unique to Penticton, according to Kunka.

“The province has made a number of changes to the B.C. Building Act to standardize and streamline the building permit process so that it is the same regardless of what community you are working in,” said Kunka. “The city’s new building bylaw will reflect the new standards for the province but will also address the unique requirements for building in Penticton, including design for fire department access, and precautions for infill and steep slope developments.”

The city is hosting an industry stakeholder workshop on Aug. 30 to review the draft with interested builders and developers.

The general public gets their chance to have a say on Aug. 28, when the new building bylaw will be one of the four topics that will be discussed at the open house at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre between 4 and 7 p.m., along with the legalization of cannabis in the city, the future of wastewater solids management and the findings from the SOEC parking study.